The rope is tethered but thread bare
holding on to something while
becoming nothing
a sound is born
in the mind
but…
let’s not hear that for now,
let it hide as it is wont to do.
listen…
You can hear the horizon thinning in the light.
Bouncing flames create life
shadows brought to the dance floor
lock step absolutes
with what is not quite light
but not dark anymore.
A box of flesh and cloth
all dressed with flames on top
like a denim cake
lit up to celebrate
diamonds be where they stop.
Stone stained historic with earthen ribbons
tufts of vegetation
small caves of dark questions
Take from me like marrow from a soup bone, held aloft and alone in raging roiled waters desperate to pull me apart and harvest the flavor inside; a hurried whisper of the fevered soliloquy I once was. Add what you want, reduce me/heat, serve.
Steam coils above
rising from the bowl below
no one is eating.
My insides are on fire
almost dead on the surface
but secrets still live within my depths.
those too will die soon
and I will be left raging alone against the shore
The curtains open on a stage
familiar in its revelation
dark clouds pulled down by sticks
the day dwindling in the distance
like an unkempt fire tired of all the burning
in a smoke damaged sunset.
Dead faces stare back at you/nothing
trapped in agony but free of it
gifting the burden to another
to Bob.
Bob’s life is a thick hide- matted
Bob is an arm with digits
in control
part of a clear purpose
attached to a body of questions
used as answers
and wearing the toll like a tattered flag
drowning.
Bob is wanting.
Bob is watching
While you are watching Bob
Both are trying to come away with loose change from the price of admission
Both are broke.
The universe has brought this moment together
as it has with every other
shaped from the courage of stars
and the tenacity of mutation
manifest as you, here, now.
Four barbs of a flower
buried deep within me
and only digging deeper.
The pain I feel looks like bright colors
smells like velvet and tree bark
tastes like crisp ocean salt.
The pain is warm like love
sharp like satire,
brilliant like sunlight trapped in crystals.
The pain is knowing what a gift it is
to have you here
in this moment
in time and space
but know that you’re not.
Grow Gray With Me 